The Magic Plumbers - Quotes & Quips

The Fism Mentalist

We’re competing in the 1994 FISM World Magic Championships in Japan. We perform our “Signed Toilet Seat in Wallet” effect. A young magician from Germany signed the Toilet Seat, it vanished, and reappeared in a giant wallet. He got to keep the toilet seat which he held up with Great Pride. Several acts later a mentalist has his assistant in the audience - and blindfolded, he begins asking questions and identifying objects in wallets and purses. Our new Germany friend hands the assistant his new prized possession. The Mentalist works for what seemed a lifetime and finally asked in a tenative, puzzled voice - “is it a toilet seat?” The crowd went wild !!!!

Dai Vernon

We’re performing at The Magic Castle and we get word backstage that Dai Vernon wants to see us after the 3rd set (Meeting the Professor, of course, is like being summoned by Socrates or Einstein). Sure enough he’s in the front lobby with the biggest cigar we’ve ever seen. He puffs and says “Here’s your NEW opening — Here They Are - Direct From Flushing, New York - The Magic Plumbers!”

Harry Blackstone Jr.

Harry’s book on The History of Magic was the first spark in our return to magic and the creation of our act. We wrote Harry a short note thanking him for writing the book and for the inspiration. With his travailing schedule, we weren’t sure he would even see the letter. On our opening night at The Magic Castle, we get word that Harry is in the house. He very graciously came backstage to wish us well. We had never met prior to that moment which we will never forget.

Billy McComb

We’re performing at our 2nd Magic Castle booking. Billy McComb is there for the 1st set. He comes back, barely able to squeeeeeeeze into our dressing room and says “The Toilet Seat - You’ve GOT TO Have Them SIGN The Toilet Seat!” Our signed toilet seat in giant wallet effect was born.

Unnamed Airline

We’re at LAX ready to depart for the SAM Stage Competition in New Orleans. The guy behind the counter refuses to load “Charmin” our Duck. Finally we sign waivers regarding “Charmins” safe arrival. We land and go to the Special Handling Cargo Area, no “Charmin.” Just then we hear a loud quack and our Duck is banging down a 30 foot conveyer belt while being hammered with luggage. “Charmin” had arrived!

Dale Salwak

We’re booked with Dale Salwak at the Magic Castle Palace of Mystery. Dale has worked with everybody. He assumes we’re the Plumber family magic troupe from Europe. We show up with John - The Magic Toilet!

Jay Marshall

We’re booked at the Abbott’s Get Together and arrive in Colon, Michigan. The first person we see is Jay. We ask where’s a good place to have lunch? “Just look for a big sign that says - EATS!”

Ali Bongo

We’re unpacking our four shipping cases at FISM in Japan. Ali Bongo walks by. “I see you guys are still doing close up!”

Jeff McBride

We go on before Jeff at the Abbotts Get Together. Jeff graciously grants permission for us to perform “The Linking Toilet Seats” prior to his Linking Rings. We give him one of our small gold plunger pins. At the cast party, Jeff arrives wearing a really cool oriental warrior outfit. In his lapel is the Magic Plumber pin.

Valentino

We’re performing with Valentino at the Magic Castle. Every move and flourish by Val is perfect during each set. Sunday night, 3^rd set - Bryan Lee holds up a sign “Your fly is open!” Valentino’s right hand stops in mid air and goes to his pants. The Masked Magician was almost unzipped.

Peter Pit

We’re auditioning at the Magic Castle. Jim, our man in the towel, is sitting on the outside ramp working on a prop. Peter Pit comes rushing up to Bryan Lee. “Who’s on the first set? “We open with Amos Levkovitzh, then Torkova, in from New York, and we close with The Magic Plumbers!” Who the #@&*^% are The Magic Plumbers?” We were booked that night and Peter became a great friend. We’ll always remember his encouragement and advise backstage at FISM in Dresden. “Let it come to you!”

Bill Larsen

We do our first show as an act at the PCAM Convention in Palo Alto, California. The act is merely a broad concept waiting to hatch. As we close the stage is covered with water, paper and smoke. Bill Larsen comes backstage. “Congratulations, you may be the messiest act in the entire history of show business!” Bill was later responsible for our Palace of Mystery bookings.